Job Description
Overview
Become a specialist in building impactful research-based solutions to current and future challenges in micro and macro finance, with our Accounting and Finance PhD programme.
Introduction
If you have a master’s degree in accounting and finance or a related field, the University of Liverpool Management School offers the perfect environment to become a world-class specialist researcher in this area.
Our Accounting and Finance PhD gives you the opportunity to explore your own ideas while you receive thought-provoking advice from our academic staff.
We offer tailored training with modules designed to develop your research skills in accounting and finance. The modules cover:
- Corporate finance and accounting
- Theory asset pricing theory
- Empirical corporate finance
- Accounting empirical asset pricing.
You’ll also receive additional training via workshops, seminars and conferences.
To ensure you are fully supported during your thesis, you’ll work with a primary supervisor who is a leading expert in their field, and a secondary supervisor, who is a promising early career researcher specialising in your area of study.
Although you can start this PhD at the beginning of any month, we recommend doing so in October or January where possible. This coincides with the start dates of our training modules.
Research topics
Our Accounting and Finance PhD covers a wide range of topics for investigation, from investment strategies and corporate finance to global financial dynamics and macroeconomic relationships.
We welcome research proposals in topics including:
Asset pricing and investment
- Empirical asset pricing and performance evaluation
- Investment technology, ethics and strategy
- Equity and other asset classes
- Financial econometrics and machine learning.
Corporate finance and accounting
- Corporate governance and shareholder value
- Corporate finance, networks and insider trading
- Market-based accounting research and corporate transparency
- Sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG).
International financial markets and the macroeconomy
- Sovereign debt and international monetary policy
- Time series analysis of macro and financial indicators
- Impact of social media on financial markets.
Financial technology (FinTech)
- Payment technologies and the future of money
- Explainable artificial intelligence (AI) in financial services
- Integration of FinTech and big data in financial markets and sustainable finance.
In addition to the research topics highlighted above, you’re also welcome to suggest your own theme for a potential research project.
Research culture
One of an elite group of institutions worldwide to hold the gold standard ‘triple-crown’ accreditation from AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, the Management School is a research powerhouse.
Home to six specialist research centres, you’ll be joining a school where you can actively participate in current research activities. There’s also the chance to attend seminars where prominent international speakers present their latest ideas and research.
The Accounting and Finance Group is one of largest in the UK. Its international experts lead pioneering research and shape academic thought by producing real-world impacts in business practice, policymaking and society.
How to apply
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1. Identify potential supervisors
You should suggest potential supervisors in your application. To find academics that align with your intended research project, please check our list of Accounting and Finance experts.
If you need advice on appropriate supervisors, you are welcome to contact:
- Accounting and Finance PhD Director of Studies, Dr Yang Zhao
- Accounting and Finance Group Director of Research, Professor Charlie Cai.
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2. Prepare your application documents
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
- A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
- University transcriptsand degree certificates to date
- Passport details (international applicants only)
- English language certificates (international applicants only)
- A personal statement
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- Contact details for your preferred primary supervisor
- Names and contact details of two referees.
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3. Apply
Finally, register and apply online. You’ll receive an email acknowledgment once you’ve submitted your application. We’ll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year – £5,006
Part-time place, per year – £2,503
International fees
Full-time place, per year – £24,599
Part-time place, per year – £12,300
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree, as well as general student living costs.
Funding your PhD
If you’re a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
Duncan Norman Research Scholarship
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
Sport Liverpool Performance Programme
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
